Window Shopping at Yakuboff’s
Wednesday, November 16th, 2011
This merchandise in the window at Yakuboff’s pawn shop on East 16th St and Quentin Road stands out among the watches and jewelry. Does anyone know what they’re supposed to be?
‘Local Business’
Here’s a Bookstore Is the Best
Wednesday, November 16th, 2011
Here’s a Bookstore was named the best independent bookstore in New York City by the Daily News–even though they said it’s in Sheepshead Bay, which reminds poor Sheepshead Bites that their neighborhood has no bookstore.
We’re lucky to have them, so if you haven’t been, do stop by. As Sarah noted recently, they’ve got an eclectic selection, and the staff is friendly and accommodating of special requests.
Here’s A Book Store
1964 Coney Island Ave, between Ave P and Quentin Road
718-645-667
Web Class from Midwood Development Corporation
Monday, October 31st, 2011
The Midwood Development Corporation is among the sponsors of a web class for businesses looking to improve their internet presence. The event is next Thursday, November 10 at Brooklyn Borough Hall. Email BRN@middev.org for more information or to register.
Here’s a Book Store
Tuesday, October 18th, 2011
Here’s A Book Store is reminiscent of The Strand in Manhattan before it was remodeled, and a relic – South Brooklyn used to be full of used bookstores, and they are the last holdout. They sell books “new and old, bought and sold.” Their selection does not endorse and particular ideology – they have books on Jewish history and books on the rise of Hitler, books about the Blood Type Diet and books that decry pseudoscience. One yelp reviewer gave them a “[b]onus star to the old woman who usually works the register for telling off anti-semites, anti-arabites, and various other hatemongerererers on various trips I’ve made to the store.”
A small sample of their very diverse cookbooks.
Their selection is very eclectic, and organized a little strangely – Perez Hilton’s book normally isn’t put near The Federalist Papers. That said, if you are looking for something specific, ask the manager – he seems to know where everything is. According to another reviewer, they will also search for the cheapest copies of a book if you request it.
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Sukkah Depot
Tuesday, September 27th, 2011
The best part was that this was located across the street from a competing Sukkah Depot on Coney Island Ave.
Missoni for Target Update
Monday, September 26th, 2011
After Missoni’s launch at the Brooklyn College Target, there is some merchandise there on occasion. A customer service rep explained that a new shipment of a few items from the collection comes in daily, and quickly sells out, and that they do not know what merchandise they will be receiving in advance. ebay is saturated by the merchandise, and prices go up to $31,000, though that’s an extreme.
Larry’s Cycle Shop
Tuesday, September 20th, 2011
The older, but still vibrant sign on Flatbush Ave between Aves K and L grabbed my attention:
Larry’s has been in business for 40 years at the Flatbush Ave location, but has been in business for over 100 years – the original store was in Manhattan. They sell bikes, obviously – prices vary, but they had some gorgeous retro bikes in the $200 range. Each bike comes with a 30 day warranty, which includes repairs.
The store does perform repairs in back, as well, for “very reasonable” prices. They also sell bike accessories and NYC bike maps. Reviews on yelp are mixed, so if you have any experience with the store, please let us know!
Larry’s Cycle Shop
1854 Flatbush Ave
718.377.3600
Mon – Fri 10 – 7
Sat 10 – 5
Sun 10 – 3
A Kosher Cut on Coney Island Avenue
Monday, September 19th, 2011
Giuseppe “Pino” Davi’s barber shop on Coney Island Avenue near Avenue K has been there for 42 years, and he tells the Huffington Post that he’s seen Midwood change from Italian, Greek, and Jewish, to mostly Jewish. He’s cut a lot of hair in that time, now largely following the guidelines of Jewish law for his main customer base.
The Kosher Haircut Guide poster, which you can see in the video is displayed in Pino’s window, was developed last year to clearly educate frum barbers on what’s okay to cut. And according to one blog, the mistakes in the poster were not in violation of the law–the short cuts were created digitally.
Bouncing Back with Breakfast
Friday, September 16th, 2011
The economy has been tough on businesses everywhere, even major chain franchises. Some, though, have seen the recession as a challenge, and have found new ways to increase business.
Look at Applebee’s. The franchise location at the Junction is ideally located, convenient to thousands of hungry Brooklyn College students looking for an inexpensive meal. But one thing was missing: breakfast.
No Applebee’s restaurants in the country are open for breakfast, so it took some creative menu development for owner Zane Tankel. But it’s worked–he tells Crain’s that the idea has been very profitable.
Which makes me wonder–what other options are there for breakfast around the Junction? I’ve heard good things about International Paradise on the corner of E 29th and Glenwood (but I think the breakfast options are slim) and Anna’s on the corner of Nostrand and Avenue I. Anyone have suggestions?
Missoni: Not on Target
Tuesday, September 13th, 2011
The highly anticipated designer collaboration Missoni for Target launched today. This resulted in Target’s website crashing due to unanticipated high traffic, as well as long lines in Targets around the country.
That is, in most of them. The Brooklyn College Target had the signs for the collaboration all over the store, but none of the merchandise, and no evidence that it has been there, either. The non-chevron pattern beneath the sign (i.e. all of it) was by Merona.
TJ Maxx: A mixed bag, but worth the trip
Wednesday, September 7th, 2011
It’s taken me awhile to write this review for a few reasons. First, there is a lot of controversy surrounding the construction of the building that houses the store, including the sale of the municipal lot it replaced – a lot of neighbors felt their petitions were ignored. The second is that it’s not a consistently great store, although they have enough good merchandise to make up for what they lack.
The women’s clothing section is a mess, and it’s difficult to look for one item in particular, though it’s worth trying if you have the time. The women’s shoe section is superior, and between the Dolce Vita boots and sequined Uggs, they have something for everyone.
The men’s section is in much better shape. The store also has dressing rooms, which is a huge plus.
They have a variety of upscale jams, spice mixes, syrups, and the like. They are even with Trader Joe’s on some of these items, and pricier by a full dollar or two on others, but Trader Joe’s is relatively far from Kings Highway.
I dearly wish this box wasn’t open or the only one left in stock.
They also have adorably whimsical Halloween decor, even if a bit early:
This is the line you will be waiting on to buy something. It is marginally better at midday, but only marginally. Beware of impulse buys – those shelves are stocked with candy.
You can find good prices on clothing, shoes, and kitchenware if you are a smart shopper and know your prices, as well as if you allow extra time.
TJ Maxx
1630 East 15th Street, between Kings Highway and Ave P
Groupon for David James Salon and Day Spa
Monday, September 5th, 2011
This is actually located in Mill Basin, but as far as I know, no one’s covering them, and the David James Salon is very highly rated on yelp. If you drive, like many of our neighbors, it should be no problem, and the B100 bus goes straight there from the East 16th St exit of the Kings Highway Q/B stop.
There are two deals offered on Groupon for the spa:
- For $17, you get a manicure and pedicure (a $34 value).
- For $25, you get a spa manicure and a spa pedicure (a $60 value).
David James Salon and Day Spa alleviates stresses accrued from the rigors of daily life with its retinue of relaxing spa services. A mani-pedi pampers all 10 fingers, toes, and tentacle suction cups with a paint-based makeover. Nail technicians first transform each digit-helmet with a unifying shaping and filing. To further prep nail palettes, a cuticle-trim clears away overlapping skin, leaving behind a bare canvas for color. Finally, a coat of paint in the client’s choice of hue leaves extremities looking as polished as the Terminator going on a blind date. Opt for the spa mani-pedi services to begin each treatment with a soothing therapeutic soak and follow-up with a honey-almond scrub, massage, and hot towels.
85% off the Salt Room
Monday, August 29th, 2011
The Salt Room, at 1794 Coney Island Ave at Ave O, has a groupon offer today – $25 for $170 worth of services, which gets you 2 45 minute sessions of halotherapy. The description of halotherapy is:
NY Salt Room stocks relaxing chambers with wall-to-wall aerosol sodium, which works to strengthen immune systems, prevent the onset of disease, and reduce allergy symptoms. During each 45-minute session, healthy, dry salt aerosol wafts through relaxing rooms modeled after natural salt caves and into lungs modeled after chest balloons. The negatively ionized saline solution can remedy asthma, induce clearer breathing, and unclog blockages in the bronchioles. Children of all ages can also enjoy the same therapeutic effects in youth rooms stocked with toys, games, and ample ingredients to season french fries for recess playmates.
Groupons and the like
Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011
A number of local businesses have participated in Groupon or similar deal programs, from Laser Hair removal to The Pickle Guys. Some businesses, such as the Sandoony USA bathhouse and Lotus Thai, have chosen to participate multiple times.
Which businesses do you wish used Groupon and the like? Are there any deals you’ve gotten through them that you’re crossing your fingers for a repeat? Personally, I’m crossing my fingers for another Pickle Guys deal.
Some Supermarkets Never Learn
Friday, August 19th, 2011
Just last year, a major crackdown on supermarkets by the Department of Consumer Affairs revealed that 70% of inspected stores in Brooklyn failed NYC requirements for pricing. Then, Pomegranate was ranked as the 6th worst offender in the city. Now the DCA is saying there’s been hardly any improvement.
The most common violations are failure to mark proper quantities and provide required accountability information on food packaged in the store, adding tax to items that are not taxable, charging the wrong prices at check-out scanners, failing to affix price tags on individual items, and maintaining inaccurate scales or failing to make scales available to customers for products sold by weight
To force compliance, they want to create the Grocery Shoppers Have Overcharge Protection (SHOP) Act, so that every time a consumer is overcharged, they would get both ten times the amount of the overcharge and that item for free.
In our area, a few markets came out fine: Gourmet on J was inspected once, with no violations; as was Eastern Fruits on Coney Island Ave and Avenue I, and the Target at the Junction (though this study was conducted before Target had the fresh food section). But according to the DCA report, some, from smaller markets to big chains, are probably taking you for a ride. Be sure to check your receipts!
If you notice that your supermarket is overcharging you, here is the complaint form you can file with the DCA.
Back to School Shopping
Tuesday, August 16th, 2011
Kids are going back to school in 3ish weeks, which means:
There are a lot of choices in Midwood for back to school supplies, and both Target and Staples are good. A lot of us used to go to Morris Discount on Ave U, as well, but they have long since closed. Judging by the bustling amount of parents in the Amazing Savings on Ave M, it seems to be a popular choice for back to school shopping in the area, as well.
Hello Kitty backpack display – $9.99/each.
They have 5 subject notebooks for $1.29, and these velvet-covered one subject notebooks are $.99 – the 90s truly have returned.
Amazing Savings stocked a wide variety of learning materials, as well:
Where else do you like going back to school shopping in Midwood? What are your thoughts on the back to school season?
CWA picketers on Kings Highway
Tuesday, August 9th, 2011
The CWA union was picketing in front of the Verizon store on East 17th and Kings Highway yesterday. You can read more about the strike on Consumerist.com. The 26th Ave strike was much bigger, and there are photos of it in this Facebook album, taken by photographer Joe La Russo.
Whose side is history on?
Friday, July 15th, 2011
The “since 1934″ sign appears to belong with the Meyer’s liquors sign, but according to an employee there, this is not the case.
According to a sign in Antelis pharmacy, it was not established in 1934, either. Which begs the question: what, exactly, was established on Elm Ave in 1934?
What’s new in Midwood
Wednesday, July 13th, 2011
Exciting news from the Midwood Development Corp!
For the past year, MDC has been providing technical assistance to the Midwood Merchants Association (MMA). Community Liaison Barry Polinsky has catalogued some recent changes that area merchants have undergone:
Pomegranate- 1507 Coney Island Ave
www.thepompeople.com
-Boris from Hells Kitchen Season 8 is now working at Pomegranate; he is good at cooking everything
-They now have ready to bake fresh fish available
Center for Kosher Culinary Arts-1407 Coney Island Ave
www.kosherculinaryarts.com
-Welcome to employment, Sarah! She is the new Kitchen Manager for CKCA, responsible for its purchasing, organization, and kitchen operations
Eye See You Optical (ESYO) 1371 Coney Island Ave
-ESYO now offers half hour prescription eyewear. You can get your glasses made in half an hour
Citibank – 1220 Ave J www.citibank.com
-Welcome Jeffrey Kontak, the new branch manager of the Citibank on Ave J
